Position Description
A Consumer Advisor for the Healthcare Associated Infections Governance
Group (HAIGG).
The HAIGG in cooperation with the offices of the Chief Nurse and the Chief Medical Officer
is seeking a Consumer Advisor to join the HAIGG. The Consumer Advisor will join the HAIGG
in providing national leadership and setting direction for the Ministry of Health on the
clinical, scientific, and strategic aspects of outbreak surveillance, infection prevention and
control, antimicrobial resistance, and new and emerging microbial threats to the health of
New Zealanders, with the aim of reducing harm and cost to society from infections
associated with healthcare exposure.
Background
Healthcare associated infection (HAI) is one of the most frequent adverse events in health
care worldwide and a cause of significant morbidity and increased health care costs. These
adverse events cause unnecessary pain and suffering for patients and their families,
negatively impact the quality of life of those who receive residential care, prolong hospital
stays and are costly to the health system.
Antimicrobial resistance threatens to eliminate the effectiveness of antibiotic medications.
Infections with multi-drug resistant organisms can be difficult or impossible to resolve, and
cause significant illness and death. Antimicrobial stewardship is necessary to protect the
efficacy of antimicrobial drugs and prevent further resistance from developing.
In April 2012 the Ministry of Health convened the Healthcare Associated Infections
Governance Group (HAIGG). The objective of the HAIGG is ‘to provide national leadership
and set direction for the Ministry of Health on the clinical, scientific, and strategic aspects of
surveillance, infection prevention and control, antimicrobial resistance, and new and
emerging threats to the health of New Zealanders, with the aim of reducing harm and cost
to society from infections associated with healthcare exposure’.
The HAIGG is established by and accountable to the Director-General of Health.
Rationale for Consumer Advisor position
The Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 requires health care providers to promote
and protect the rights of consumers of health and disability services. The Institute of
Medicine (IOM) has identified six dimensions of health care quality including safety,
effectiveness, patient-centeredness, timeliness, efficiency and equity. International research
demonstrates consumer engagement results in improved quality and safety of health care,
both at the individual and systemic levels. With this in mind the HAIGG seeks a Consumer
Advisor to reflect health care consumer views within the Group and help create more
effective, equitable, safe and useful advice and leadership.
Patient and family centred care
Patient and family centred care (PFCC) respects the individuality, values, ethnicity, social
endowments and information needs of individual patients. The primary design concept lies
in placing the patient in control of their own care. This produces customised care according
to individual needs, desires and circumstances. PFCC also provides for transparency, with a
high level of accountability of the care system to the consumer. Because of this focus on
participation and collaboration, PFCC requires working with patients and whanau rather
than doing to and for them.
This approach is congruent with the work of HAIGG, producing patient-centred advice and
leadership. The Consumer Advisor will provide patient experience to inform clinical advice
and leadership.
The Role
This position requires a consumer who has some experience or interest in HAI and/or
antimicrobial resistance, either through their own experiences or through a close whanau
member for whom they have provided direct support. Examples of such experiences include
the acquisition of an HAI or multi-drug resistance infection or significant
immunocompromise. It is expected that the Consumer Advisor will have established
networks through association with relevant consumer groups and communities. These
connections will enable the Consumer Advisor to bring a wide range of relevant consumer
perspectives to the Group.
Key Consumer Advisor responsibilities
1. Provide timely advice and contributions to the HAIGG to ensure that the
consumer is placed at the centre of discussions, advice and leadership regarding
the prevention of HAIs and antimicrobial resistance.
2. Provide advice to the HAIGG on recommending patient-centred methods of
implementation of advice to the health care sector.
3. Represent the consumer in all aspects of the work of the HAIGG.
Skill requirements, expertise, and personal attributes
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Well-developed communication skills
Knowledge of the health and disability sector
Good analytical skills
Ability to work in a group and confidence to interact positively with health
professionals and others
An understanding, experience and commitment to promoting the consumer voice in
health care planning and delivery
Experience and ability to work at a strategic and national level
Links with consumer and/ or Maori and Pacific Island communities preferable
Time commitment
This is a thirty six month contract commencing in April, 2014 and finishing in April, 2017. All
terms of HAIGG members are of thirty six months duration.
The consumer advisor will be expected to participate in the following activities:
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An introductory meeting with the HAIGG team at the Ministry of Health in
Wellington
Approximately four all-day meetings per year (twelve total). These meetings will be
generally held in Wellington but may be in other locations
Approximately four two hour teleconferences per year (twelve total).
Remuneration
Participation on this programme will be reimbursed at the rate of $320.00 per day +GST
teleconferences will be reimbursed at the half day rate of $160.00 per day +GST; travel and
accommodation (as necessary) costs will also be covered.
For more information on this position, or to be considered for an interview, please send
your curriculum vitae to:
Jane Pryer
Senior Advisor - Healthcare Associated Infections
Ministry of Health
Clinical Leadership, Protection & Regulation
Public Health\Communicable Diseases
DDI: 04 8162404
Fax: 04 496 2343
PO Box 5013
Wellington
Jane_Pryer@moh.govt.nz
Applications will close on
20th March 2014